Christmas Day, December 25, 2023 @ 9:00 am
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Our Mission Welcome to The Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, a welcoming and diverse community seeking to walk in the way of Jesus and to reveal Christ’s reconciling love in our city, nation, and world.
Pandemic Precautions Continue: Vaccination is required for everyone eligible. Windows are open. There are a few other recommendations. These recommendations are in the spirit of protecting the most vulnerable members of the congregation. Masks are recommended to protect your neighbor. We ask that all members of the congregation respect others’ choices about masking. If you are experiencing any new symptoms, if you are currently testing for COVID, or recovering from COVID, we ask that you give yourself time before coming to church in person.
Communion: All are welcome to receive. When it comes time, please follow the directions of the ushers. Walk past the chalice bearer to return to your pew from the other side. If you would like to receive wine you may either “sip” or hand your wafer to the chalice bearer, who will “intinct” (dip) for you. If you would prefer not to receive, simply cross your arms across your chest and the minister will give you a blessing. Gluten free wafers are available, on request from the minister.
Donations: We welcome donations to support the work of Holy Communion, whether a payment on a pledge or simply an offering. You can also text GIVE to (833) 864-5384 or give any time on our website holycommunion.net/give
Wheelchair accessibility. Our entrances have auto-open buttons, and our elevator is ADA compliant. Both the downstairs restrooms and one of the upstairs restrooms are accessible.
Hearing Assistance: Hearing assistance devices are available from the welcome table. Just ask an usher.
Get Involved: If you begin by filling out a “Connect Card” in your pew, or at the Welcome Table, we’d be glad to keep you up to date with all that goes on here. You can also use the Connect Cards to update your information, request prayers, or to ask a question. Turn them in to the wooden offering box in the entryway.
The congregation is invited to say the words together in bold. If you are worshiping with us from home, to prepare for worship, you may want to place a candle or two in the place where you worship, to light during the opening prayer.
Welcome
A priest welcomes the congregation. If you are new to us, consider filling out our “get connected” form, let us get to know you better.
Opening Acclamation
The congregation is invited to rise in body or spirit as the clergy enter and reverence the altar.
Blessed be God: most holy, glorious, and undivided Trinity.
And blessed be God’s reign, now and forever. Amen.
The Collect of the Day
God of Promise, you fill the world with the love of Mary, the peace of Joseph, the wonder of the shepherds, the praise of the angels, and the delight of the Magi. Give us grace, as we celebrate Emmanuel’s birth, to answer yes to your extraordinary love breaking into the ordinariness of our world; we ask this through Christ our incarnate Savior.
Amen.
The Lessons
1st Lesson Please be seated. Titus 3:4-7
But “when God our savior’s kindness and love appeared, he saved us because of his mercy, not because of righteous things we had done. He did it through the washing of new birthand the renewing by the Holy Spirit, which God poured out upon us generously throughJesus Christ our savior. So, since we have been made righteous by his grace, we can inherit the hope for eternal life.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm Psalm 98
We say the psalm responsively.
Sing a new song to the Lord,
who has done marvellous things,
whose mighty hand and holy arm have won the victory.
O Lord, you have made known the victory;
you have openly shown your righteousness
in the sight of the nations.
You remember your mercy and faithfulness to the house of Israel,
and all the ends of the earth have seen your victory, O God.
Shout with joy to the Lord, all you lands;
lift up your voice, rejoice and sing.
Sing to the Lord with the harp,
with the harp and the voice of song.
With trumpets and the sound of the horn
shout with joy before our sovereign, the Lord.
Let the sea make a noise and all that is in it,
the lands and those who dwell therein.
Let the rivers clap their hands,
and let the hills ring out with joy before the Lord,
who is coming to judge the earth.
In righteousness shall God judge the world
and the peoples with equity.
The Holy Gospel Luke 2:8-20
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Nearby shepherds were living in the fields, guarding their sheep at night. The Lord’s angelstood before them, the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were terrified.The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you—wonderful, joyous newsfor all people. Your savior is born today in David’s city. He is Christ the Lord. This is a signfor you: you will find a newborn baby wrapped snugly and lying in a manger.”
Suddenly agreat assembly of the heavenly forces was with the angel praising God. They said,
“Glory to God in heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors.”
When the angels returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other,
“Let’s go right now to Bethlehem and see what’s happened. Let’s confirm what the Lord has revealed to us.”
They went quickly and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. When they saw this, they reported what they had been told about this child. Everyone who heard itwas amazed at what the shepherds told them. Mary committed these things to memory and considered them carefully.
The shepherds returned home, glorifying and praising God for allthey had heard and seen. Everything happened just as they had been told.
The Gospel of our Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon The Rev. Julie Graham
The Prayers of the People
Please rise in body or in spirit. The Leader and People pray responsively.
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God. Silence.
Accept O Lord, our thanks and praise for all that you have done for us. We thank you for the splendor of the whole creation, for the beauty of this world, for the wonder of life, and for the mystery of love. Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We thank you for the blessings of family and friends, and for the loving care that surrounds us on every side. Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We thank you for setting us at tasks that demand our best efforts, and for leading us to accomplishments that satisfy and delight us.
Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
We thank you also for those disappointments and failures that lead us to acknowledge our dependence on you alone. Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
For all who have died in the hope of resurrection and for all the departed, Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Above all, we thank you for your Son Jesus Christ; for the truth of his Word and the example of his life; for his steadfast obedience, by which he overcame temptation; for his dying, through which he overcame death; and for his rising to life again, in which we are raised to the life of your kingdom. Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Grant us the gift of your Spirit, that we may know Christ and make him known; and through him, at all times and in all places, may give thanks to you in all things. Lord in your mercy,
Hear our prayer.
Presider
O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies, look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever.
The Peace
The peace of Christ be always with you.
And also with you.
You are invited to greet those around you by saying “Peace be with you” or simply “Peace.”
Presentation of the Offering
please rise in body or in spirit
All things come of thee, O Lord.
And of thine own have we given thee.
We welcome donations to support the work of Holy Communion, whether a payment on a pledge or simply an offering. Plates will be passed. You can also give on our website or by texting GiveHoCO to (833) 864-5384
Eucharistic Prayer
The second part of the liturgy moves to the Table. As we remember Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, we gather in a way Christians have for millennia. Please stand.
The Lord be with you
And also with you.
Lift up your Hearts
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
The presider gives thanks to God for Christ’s redeeming work, and remembers Jesus’ last supper with his disciples. The people are invited to respond to the words:
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The presider concludes with prayer for the Holy Spirit to sanctify the bread and wine, and the gathered congregation.
The Eucharistic prayer concludes with a plea for the coming of God’s reign.
Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
Let us pray in the way Christ taught us, and in the language of our hearts.
Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo,
santificado sea tu Nombre,
venga tu reino,
hágase tu voluntad,
en la tierra como en el cielo.
Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día.
Perdona nuestras ofensas,
como también nosotros perdonamos
a los que nos ofenden.
No nos dejes caer en tentación
y líbranos del mal.
Porque tuyo es el reino,
tuyo es el poder, y tuya es la gloria,
ahora y por siempre. Amén
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Administration of the Sacrament
All are welcome to receive. When it comes time, please maintain a distance of greater than 6 feet in a single file line up to the front. Please come to the priest on the side of the church where you are sitting. Make your way down the side aisle to return to your seat. Under the bishop’s order, wine is not available at this time. If you would rather receive a blessing, please come forward to the altar rail during communion and cross your arms across your chest. Gluten free wafers are available, on request, from the minister.
Post Communion Prayer
God of abundance, you have fed us with the bread of life and cup of salvation; you have united us with Christ and one another; and you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue forever in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Blessing
The people stand or kneel as the presider proclaims the final blessing.
May Almighty God, by whose providence our Savior Christ came among us in great humility, sanctify you with the light of blessing and set you free from all sin; and the blessing of God the holy and undivided Trinity be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.
Dismissal
Our worship has ended, our service in the world continues.
The Deacon dismisses the congregation:
When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken,
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among brothers,
To make music from the heart.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Service Leaders
Celebrant & Preacher: The Rev. Julie Graham
Deacon: The Rev. Chester Hines
Usher:
Reader: Kellie McCoy
Intercessor:
Special gifts made to support the Christmas Greens and Music:
Helen Burton: In joyful recognition of my Holy Communion family
Laurie & Ed Hansell: In Memory of John Kissel & Lottie Kissel Norwine
Jean & Hal Parker: In memory of Dolores Parker
Rebecca Rugen: In memory of Leah Rugen
Rudy Walz: In Honor of Betty and Lenard Walz, Sr.
Music reprinted and broadcast with permission by OneLicense # A-704988
The Scripture Translation is the Common English Bible, used by permission.
Liturgical Changes for Christmas
White frontal color and matching vestments: The altar is covered with a white frontal, and the clergy wear white vestments. White is an ancient liturgical color that symbolizes celebration and Christ’s Presence
Lighting of the Advent Wreath and Christmas Candle: The Christmas Candle is in the center of the Advent Wreath, recalling the period of waiting and preparation that led up to Christmas.